Problems in parks and public spaces

A common problem in parks and other public areas can involve groups of people, often youth, drinking or doing drugs. They might make excessive noise or cause disturbances for others trying to use the space. Their presence can be intimidating and may make people stay away. All public parks are closed between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. No one should be in parks during those hours.

Here’s what you can do if you have a problem with young people in a park in your neighbourhood:

If you know the young people and their parents, your first step might be to talk to their parents and let them know about the issue.

You can also try to engage the young people in your neighbourhood to become positive agents of change in their communities. Encourage them to take ownership. Help them organize projects and more positive activities. This will help them become an important and valued part of their community.

Do not approach a group of people if you do not know them. Your efforts might be seen as hostile or confrontational and might lead to a situation that quickly goes beyond your control. Call By-Law at 3-1-1 and report the situation, rather than try to solve it yourself.

Always use caution and common sense when considering how to address a problem with a group of people. Your safety is important and you should never put yourself at risk.

What would you do if your community was littered with used needles, condoms and crack pipes? What would you do if one of the children on your street was stuck with a discarded needle? How would you feel watching a little girl suffer the devastating effects of taking anti-HIV and Hepatitis-C drugs after a needle prick?

For Chris and Lisa Grinham of Lowertown, it was all too much to bear. In 2006, they founded Safer Ottawa after discovering little was being done to address the runaway drug addiction, petty crime and discarded needles in their community. They lobbied the City, police and the province to do something about it. They fought hard to address public safety issues they felt were going largely unchecked. They managed to get support, securing the tools they needed to safely collect and discard of used needles and other drug paraphernalia, including puncture-resistant Kevlar gloves and bio-hazard collection tubs.